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Abuse of dosulepin to induce mania
Author(s) -
Lepping Peter,
Menkes David B.
Publication year - 2007
Publication title -
addiction
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.424
H-Index - 193
eISSN - 1360-0443
pISSN - 0965-2140
DOI - 10.1111/j.1360-0443.2007.01828.x
Subject(s) - mania , bipolar disorder , tricyclic , psychiatry , clomipramine , mood , psychology , medicine , clinical psychology , pharmacology
Background Tricyclic antidepressants sometimes trigger mania in bipolar patients, but little is known about their potential for abuse in this regard. Case description We describe a man with bipolar disorder and alcohol dependency who abused dosulepin repeatedly in order to induce manic episodes. This caused serious problems for treatment and long‐term outcome. We mention two further cases in which dosulepin or clomipramine was used deliberately to induce bipolar mania. Conclusions Tricyclic antidepressants can be abused to induce mood elevation in bipolar patients. This should be considered in cases of treatment‐resistant mania.